Gymnogeophagus balzanii care questions

[FishKing5]

I have a group of 6 F1 gymnogeophagus balzanii bella union Rio Uruguay that I got from Ken, and was wondering if anyone had any special tips on care for these fish. I will be housing them in their own 90 gallon and was thinking of doing a RO/tap water mix to get the PH down more to the upper 6's to 7.0 since I know they're software species. They've been tank raised on normal tap but would like to give them more of a natural environment with some Indian almond leaves and soft tap water. They're just little 1 inch guys right now. I've read giving them a "cold period" with dropping the tanks temp down into the 60s. Would that be necessary to do for young fish like these or should I worry about that when they're sub adults to adults?... Any suggestions on all this would be great! Thanks

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Where do you live?

 

[FishKing5]

Minnesota. Just south of the cities

 

[FishKing5]

Where do you live?

Minnesota. Just south of the twin cities. We don't get city water though. Live in a town home development in prior lake so we get treated water and I have a water softener in my house. Get a pH of around 7.6 out of my tap.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

You can probably get away with no heater or at least set the heater real low. Like 72 low, duanes will have some valuable feedback on this no doubt.

 

[FishKing5]

You can probably get away with no heater or at least set the heater real low. Like 72 low, duanes will have some valuable feedback on this no doubt.

Right on. What about the pH and hardness of water for these guys especially for spawning? Would it be necessary to provide soft water for them or will my normal tap do just fine. And should I do that cold period for them starting at the age they are now or when they're older

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

I just did a really quick and dirty search on this very site, there's already a lot of information out there.

 

[FishKing5]

I just did a really quick and dirty search on this very site, there's already a lot of information out there.

Ya I found some pretty useful info on here as well. I guess I'm mainly wondering on water parameters for these guys. I'll be adding a lot of driftwood and branch pieces, was thinking of adding some floating plants as well and possibly some almond leaves but not sure if I am a fan of tannins in my tank but we will see.

 

[duanes]

I've kept Gymno bazani "Bella Union", and don't think of them as a soft water species.
I kept mine in unheated tanks (room temp) in water between 7.5-7.8, alkalinity of @ 100ppm, nd a general hardness of 250ppm.
I used high altitude Mexican live bearers, and Uruguayan Corydorus erhardti as dithers (because they tolerate the cooler temps used for the Gymnos (68'F to 72, in summer low to mid 60s in winter). My group consisted of 2 males and 4 females.
For a while, other cichlids in the tank were Ciclasome dimmers "Uruguay".

 

[FishKing5]

I've kept Gymno bazani "Bella Union", and don't think of them as a soft water species.
I kept mine in unheated tanks (room temp) in water between 7.5-7.8, alkalinity of @ 100ppm, nd a general hardness of 250ppm.
I used high altitude Mexican live bearers, and Uruguayan Corydorus erhardti as dithers (because they tolerate the cooler temps used for the Gymnos (68'F to 72, in summer low to mid 60s in winter). My group consisted of 2 males and 4 females.
For a while, other cichlids in the tank were Ciclasome dimmers "Uruguay".

Thanks so much Duane for this information. That's literally what my water hardness is at and pH. It's satisfying to know I won't have to use my RO filter mixed with tap for these guys. I'll be moving these guys to their own 90 gallon. Any advice on adding almond leaves or anything like that or should I not even mess with that. Im not too big of a fan of tannins in my water.